By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Pastor Tunde Bakare has urged Nigerians to look beyond the divisions of religion, ethnicity and tribe, as the Dispora Directorate of the APC PBAT-KOH Campaign Council marked Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary with a gathering in Atlanta, Georgia.
The event held at Labule, Atlanta, on Saturday, 3 October, 2026.
It was led by Bakare, the Head of the APC PBAT-KOH Diaspora Directorate, Engr. Gbolahan Gbadamosi, and his deputy, Hon. Adewale Jafojo, and combined a celebration of culture and heritage with a call for greater diaspora engagement.
The gathering brought together prominent members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), members of the Nigerian diaspora and friends of Nigeria.
Those in attendance included Mrs. Abiodun Gbadamosi, Princess Adekunbi Oyekan-Jafojo, Dr Laolu Lediju, Mrs. Zainab Adesanya-Idowu, the APC USA National Youth Leader, Hon. Bello Oyakhilome, Hon. Deji Thanni-Olodo and Bashorun Kamal Seyi Abiodun.
Bakare, the Special Guest of Honour, delivered what the organisers described as a compelling charge for national cohesion.
Drawing on his personal journey, including his transition from Islam to Christianity, he said a shared Nigerian identity must always transcend religious and ethnic differences.
His message resonated strongly with the audience. It framed Nigeria’s diversity not as a fault line but as a source of collective strength, unity and continental pride.
The programme then turned to a call for greater diaspora engagement, with Jafojo and Gbadamosi taking turns to challenge Nigerians abroad to use their economic, professional and social influence to advance Nigeria.
Gbadamosi stressed the importance of diaspora participation and collective responsibility.
He said Nigerians abroad possess significant resources, expertise and influence that can be harnessed to contribute meaningfully to national development.
He added that the true strength of the diaspora lies in structured unity, coordinated engagement and its ability to turn collective influence into sustainable development at home.
Jafojo urged members of the diaspora to take a more active part in civic engagement.
He asked them to use their families, networks and relationships across Nigeria to encourage responsible participation in the democratic process.
He also called for support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dr Obafemi Hamzat and other APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
The event was hosted by Princess Tokunbo Omisore of the historic Ile-Ife Dynasty, and the gathering doubled as a celebration of Southwest Nigerian culture and heritage.
A major highlight of the evening was a fashion presentation inspired by the Ojude Oba Festival, which showcased the elegance, creativity and richness of Yoruba traditional attire.
Beyond the music, fashion and merriment, the organisers said the celebration marked an intergenerational milestone by connecting younger and older Nigerians in the diaspora to the values, traditions and enduring spirit of their homeland.
They said the gathering bridged the geographic divide, bringing together scores of Nigerians and friends of the country through civic engagement, cultural expression and Yoruba heritage.
The celebration, they added, served as a reminder that Nigerians in the diaspora remain deeply connected to the country’s history, culture, aspirations and future, even thousands of miles from home.
